Report: The unique marine ecosystem surrounding Macquarie Island

Macquarie Island is among the last truly wild places on the planet. The waters of the Southern Ocean surrounding the island are home to some of our most unique marine life such as penguins, seals, whales, icefish and migratory birds like albatross. Some species are found nowhere else on Earth. 

But climate change, industrial fishing and pollution are putting increasing pressure on the Southern Ocean. History shows that unless precious environments like this have strong protections in place, they fall victim to such threats.

This independent scientific report investigates the rich and remarkable marine ecosystem of the World Heritage-listed Australian territory of Macquarie Island in the Southern Ocean and the measures needed to protect it in the face of a rapidly changing climate.

This report recommends extending marine sanctuary protection to cover all of Australia’s Exclusive Economic Zone around the island, with the exception of an area to allow the current, sustainable fishery to continue. 

Image credit: Grey-headed albatross, Jaimie Cleeland